On the way to the EHF Cup quarter-finals

With only three more rounds to be played in the EHF Cup Group Phase it might be useful to clarify once again the qualification process for the quarter-finals by using the actual standing of the groups as an example.

If Nantes finish 1st in Group D or is one of the three best 2nd ranked teams of the four groups, the club qualifies directly for the EHF Cup Finals. The other six teams have to play the quarter-finals which, in this case will consist of only three pairings.

If Nantes are the 4th ranked of the 2nd ranked teams, they have to play the quarter-finals and is qualified for the EHF Cup Finals only if it wins the quarter-final

If Nantes are ranked 3rd or 4th in the group phase, the team are eliminated from the competition but remains the local organizer of the EHF Cup Finals. All 1st and 2nd ranked teams play the quarter-finals

According to the regulation the ranking of the 2nd ranked teams is determined after completion of the group phase as follows:
a) Number of points in matches against the 1st and 3rd ranked team of the group
b) Goal difference in those matches as mentioned at a)
c) Greater number of plus goals in the matches mentioned at a)

If no ranking can be determined a decision shall be obtained by drawing lots.

What would this mean if the group phase ended now?

Here are the actual tables of the groups (after 3 matches of each team):

Results of the 2nd ranked teams:Gr. A
La Rioja vs Koper -> 0 points for La Rioja as this was lost 21:25 (-4)
La Rioja vs. Göppingen -> 2 points for La Rioja as this was won 25:23 (+2)Gr. B
Löwen vs. Prešov -> 2 points for Löwen as this was won 34:33 (+1)
Löwen vs. Kolding -> 0 points for Löwen as this was lost 23:25 (-2)Gr. C
Holstebro vs. Maribor -> 1 point for Holstebro as this was a draw 26:26(+/- 0)
Holstebro vs. Plock -> 2 points for Holstebro as this was won 29:28 (+1)Gr. D
Nantes vs. Bacau -> 2 points for Nantes as this was won 21:18 (+3)
Nantes vs. Magdeburg -> 0 points for Nantes as this was lost 20:27 (-7)

Result of calculating the 3 best 2nd ranked teams, if GP would end now:

According to this example, Nantes are the 4th of the 2nd ranked teams and therefore all 2nd ranked teams have to play the quarter-finals (8 teams) and Nantes are qualified for the EHF Cup Finals only if it wins the quarter-finals.

As mentioned above this is just an example in order to explain this procedure. However, there are still 3 rounds left and therefore everything can still change.